Power pole peril for pedestrians

Pam Harris, of Sunnyvale, believes the position of a power pole on a footpath in Main South Rd poses a danger to pedestrians.  Photo: Shawn McAvinue
Pam Harris, of Sunnyvale, believes the position of a power pole on a footpath in Main South Rd poses a danger to pedestrians. Photo: Shawn McAvinue
A power pole protruding from a Sunnyvale footpath is dangerous, a concerned resident says.

Pam Harris, of Sunnyvale, said when a footpath on Main South Rd, near the Sunnyvale Sports Centre, was built a few years ago, its alignment resulted in a power pole to being in the way of pedestrians.

The position of the pole onthe footpath ‘‘made little sense’’, Mrs Harris said.

‘‘It must be considered very dangerous, as it’s also on a corner, and a no-hoper for anyone with impaired sight.’’

Dunedin City Council transport group manager Richard Saunders said the pole had been in place for a number of years and the council had received no reports of issues.

‘‘The bottom half of the pole is painted white to assist with visibility and there is adequate space between the pole and the edge of the kerb.’’

Mr Saunders encouraged residents to contact the council directly about issues of safety on roads and footpaths in Dunedin.

In a Taieri Times article earlier this month about concerns of a street light protruding from a new footpath in Fairfield, Blind Foundation access and awareness adviser Chris Orr said any object obstructing apath was an issue for people who were blind or had low vision.

In the article, Mr Saunders said all council street lights were being assessed as part of the LED street light renewal contract and poles would be replaced if needed.

SHAWN.MCAVINUE@thestar.co.nz 

Comments

It doesn't matter what number of years the power pole was placed there, it either shows the lack of communication efforts between departments, sub contractors and or I'm betting the second of some manager making a point and not acknowledging the concerns of any such communication because they can, at the expense of the safety, look of the town and those who pay the rates for a professional job. I witnessed here in Queensland tram line being put in, foot paths being re installed with a telephone junction box in the middle of the new foot path, the contractors answer and rightly so was its not part of the contract to move them. so they stayed for 6 months until sorted

 

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